Programs

Two UBC Forestry professors were honoured by Keyoh holders at a “Dené ilhuna hooz leh” event in Fort St. James, BC on July 1st 2013. Professors John Nelson and Gary Bull are being recognized for partnering with the Maiyoo Keyoh Society to deliver a course on sustainable forest management. In the course, students work with […]

Aboriginal Academic Programs at UBC Vancouver

UBC is a comprehensive research university with a wide range of programs. For information on the full range of UBC programs, see UBC academic programs.

UBC also has academic programs and concentrations specifically addressing Aboriginal topics and many courses with significant Aboriginal or Indigenous content. Below are some of the larger programs and concentrations with an Aboriginal focus. For the most current list of courses at UBC that are known to include Indigenous content, click here.

SCARP Indigenous Community Planning Specialization

Acknowledging Canada’s history of colonization of Indigenous peoples, and recognizing that planning has been a part of that process, SCARP’s concentration in Indigenous Planning seeks to empower Indigenous communities and community planners with the skills, capacity and knowledge to achieve their own aspirations for sustainable social and economic development. This is consistent with SCARP’s broader mission of working for sustainability planning through democratization.

First Nations Studies Program

The First Nations Studies Program is interdisciplinary, drawing on the strengths of scholars across the university, and organized around a strong and innovative core. The core curriculum of the program is dedicated to defining strategic approaches to theoretical and practical problems, and is anchored by a fourth year community-based research practicum.

First Nations Languages Program

In recognition of the profound importance of First Nations languages and the cultural traditions they represent, the FNLG offers courses in various Aboriginal languages, develops educational materials, and conducts research on BC’s endangered languages. The program operates in collaboration with First Nations communities and cultural institutions.

SLAIS First Nations Concentration

The School of Library, Archival and Information Studies (SLAIS) provides an option to students enrolled in either the MAS or MLIS program to complete a First Nations Concentration. Students enrolled in this program develop the technical skills and cultural understandings necessary to address the information needs of First Nations communities.

Indigenous Teacher Education Program (NITEP)

NITEP is a Bachelor of Education program preparing persons of Aboriginal ancestry to be educators. Presently, there is a shortage of Aboriginal teachers in BC, while an increasing number of Aboriginal people desire to become teachers. The purpose of the program is to build upon and strengthen the cultural heritage and identity of professionals in training.

T`’skel Program

An alternative educational program for graduate students of Aboriginal ancestry, the Ts`’kel Graduate Studies program was originally designed to prepare First Nations People for the field of Educational Administration. Since then, Ts`’kel has expanded to include Educational Studies, Curriculum and Instruction, and Educational Psychology and Special Education.

Community and Aboriginal Forestry Program

The Community and Aboriginal Forestry Program is a new specialization in the Forest Resources Management Major. The program provides prospective forestry professionals with a comprehensive understanding of the discipline of forest management. The program is designed to facilitate students’ acquisition of specific knowledge and skill to give them the confidence they need to make effective decisions in the emerging field of Community and Aboriginal forestry.

Graduate Degree Programs

UBC’s broad range of faculty members with expertise in Aboriginal areas allows graduate students in almost any program to focus their studies on issues important to Aboriginal communities both in Canada and internationally. Many Aboriginal students choose the Interdisciplinary Studies Graduate Program, an ideal venue for developing the interdisciplinary approach to Indigenous areas of study.

Indigenous Legal Studies Program

The Indigenous Legal Studies Program works to enhance Aboriginal involvement in the legal profession by providing legal education relating to Aboriginal issues and supporting the legal education of Aboriginal students. Since 1975, hundreds of Aboriginal students have graduated from the Faculty of Law. Many of these graduates are now leaders who have helped to redefine First Nations legal issues in Canada.

Aboriginal Residency Program

The program offers First Nations/Aboriginal medical graduates, including those interested in Aboriginal heath care issues, with an opportunity to give special attention in their family practice residency programs to the challenging health care issues facing First Nations or Aboriginal people.

Aboriginal Health and Community Administration Program

This award-winning certificate program is designed to meet the learning needs of Aboriginal administrative staff living and working in Aboriginal communities, as well as those who are preparing to work in the field and who need knowledge and skills to provide effective administration for community programs. The program expands its focus beyond health delivery to include environmental and other community health issues.